Fountain paint rollers



Dec. 21, 1965 R. s. LELAND 3,224,031

FOUNTAIN PAINT ROLLERS Filed July 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. EAG/VVALO G. LEA AND,

United States Patent 3,224,031 FOUNTAIN PAINT ROLLERS Ragnvald G. Leland, 2334 W. 241st St, Lomita, Calif. Filed July 6, 1962, Ser. No. 207,984 6 Claims. (Cl. 15-562) This invention relates to novel fountain paint rollers.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of more efiicient, practical, and easily used devices of the kind indicated, in which thick or thin paint can be used, without leakage and without impairment of the free flow of paint from the interiors of the devices to their external absorbent applicator sleeves, and which can be easily and quickly partly dismantled to enable full and quick cleaning of paint therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the provision of devices of the character indicated above which have more efficient and more readily operated and adjusted paint valving means, providing for the complete shutting off of flow of paint to the applicator sleeve and for controlled flow of paint thereto.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in devices of the character indicated above, of a perforated paint absorbent applicator sleeve, whose openings provide for substantially instant flow of paint to the external surface of the applicator sleeve, for immediate painting, rather than having to delay until the paint soaks through the applicator sleeve.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a device of the present invention, with its handle broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1, showing a valve element in closed position;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary right-hand end elevation of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of another device of the present invention, showing one of its valve elements in closed position and the other valve elements in open positions;

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 FIGURE 7 is a transverse section taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6, showing valve elements in open and closed positions;

FIGURE 8 is a right-hand end elevation of FIGURE FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of an unassembled and packaged device of the present invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like and related numerals designate like and related parts throughout the several views, and first to FIGURES 1 through 4, the device therein shown and generally designated 10, comprises a relatively thin-gauged elongated cylinder 12 of such as metal or plastic, having open first and second ends 14 and 16, respectively, between which extend a plurality, herein shown as three equally circumferentially spaced rows of longitudinally elongated and equally longitudinally spaced triangular hOles 18, whose apices are all directed toward the first end 14 of the cylinder 12.

The cylinder 12 is formed, on its inner surface, with longitudinal slideways 20, corresponding in number to the rows of holes 18. The slideways 20, as shown in FIG- URE 3, are composed of transversely spaced and opposed hook flanges 22, equally spaced from opposite sides of the holes 18, and having first and second ends 24 and 26 spaced inwardly from the first and second ends 14 and 16, respectively, of the cylinder 12, as shown in FIGURE 2. Longitudinally elongated valve plates 28, which are longer than the cylinder 12, are slidably engaged between the hook flanges 22 of the slideways 20, and are frictionally engaged therewith and with the inner surface of the sidewall of the cylinder between the hook flanges. The valve plates 28 have some resilience and are concavely curved, so as to have tight sealing engagement with the inner surface of the cylinder sidewall, and for completely sealing the triangular openings 18, when the valve plates are in closed positions. The second ends of the valve plates 28 have cross-heads 30 thereon which serve as operating handles therefor.

The valve plates 28 are formed with equally longitudinally spaced openings 32, which are preferably rectangular and somewhat longitudinally elongated and of the same length as the triangular holes 18, so that, when the valve plates 28 are pulled out, toward the right in FIGURE 2, from closed positions, the right-hand ends of the openings 32 register first with the left-hand or apex ends of the openings 18, for minimum flow of paint from the interior of the cylinder 12 to the exterior thereof, and flow is increased by further pulling out the valve plates 28, until full flow is obtained by full registry of the holes 32 with the holes 18.

A first removable closure cap 34 closes the first end 14 of the cylinder 12, and comprises a circular flat web 36 having an axially inwardly extending reduced diameter annular flange 40 having a reduced diameter portion 38 which is a plug fit in the cylinder 12. The shoulder 43 between the flange 40 and the reduced portion 38 abuts the first end 14 of the cylinder 12. The outer surface of the flange 40 is flush with the outer surface of the cylinder 12, and is stiffened by an internal annular flange 42 on its outer end. The web 36 of the cap 34 is provided with a central hole 44.

A second removable closure cap 46 closes the second end 16 of the cylinder 12 and comprises a flat circular web 4-8, of the same outside diameter as the cylinder 12, and having a reduced diameter axially inwardly extending flange 50 which is a plug fit in the second end of the cylinder 12, with the web abutting the second end 16 of the cylinder 12. The web 43 has a central opening 52 aligned with the opening 44 of the first closure cap 34. At the locations of the slideways 20, the web 43 is formed with notches 54, through which the valve plates 28 slide. Covering the axially outward surface of the web 48 is a compressible sealing disc 56, which is backed up by a rigid backing disc 58, the discs 56 and 58 being provided with openings 60 and 62, respectively, aligned with the web opening 52.

An axial round shaft 64, of a paint roller handle 65, extends through the cylinder 12 and through the openings of the first and second closure caps 34 and 46, and has a fixed collar 66, which bears against the outer surface of the backing disc 58 of the second closure cap, and a threaded end 68 which extends beyond the first closure cap 34, and has a wing nut 70 threaded thereon, with a compressible sealing washer 72 interposed between the web 36 of the first cap 34 and the wing-nut and in sealing relation to the web opening 44. The cylinder 12 is adapted to be filled with paint through the web opening 44 of the first closure cap 34, while the shaft 64 is removed from the opening by sliding it toward the second closure cap 46, the nut 70 having been removed. Alternatively, the first closure cap 34 can be removed from the cylinder 12 to provide for filling the cylinder with paint.

For cleaning the device 10, both of the closure caps 34 and 46, as well as the shaft 64, and the valve plates 28, can be removed, as well as a cylindrical absorbent porous applicator sleeve 74, which is removably circumposed upon the cylinder 12 and also upon the closure caps.

In order to obtain a greater sealing engagement of the valve plates 28 with the interior surface of the sidewall of the cylinder 12, longitudinally elongated, longitudinally bowed leaf springs 78 are provided, which have convexly bowed terminals 80 on their ends, which bear slidably against the inward surfaces of the valve plates 28, at points adjacent to their ends. The springs '78 are compressed between the valve plates 28 and the shaft 64, and have flat middle portions 82 which are securably engaged through slots 84 in transversely disposed bearing plates 86, which have central openings 88 slidably receiving the shaft 64.

The device of the present invention shown in FIGURES 5 through 8, and generally designated is similar in over-all construction to that described hereinabove, the similar parts being designated by related numerals, except for the absence of springs 78, and the presence of different valving means, and closure caps.

The device 10 has hollow cylindrical slideways 20 in which hollow valve cylinders 28 are rotatably engaged, and have knurled operating knobs 3% on their second or right-hand ends. The sidewall of the cylinder 12 is formed with longitudinal rows of relatively small triangular, relatively greatly spaced holes 18 The second or right-hand ends of the valve cylinders 28 are closed by stems 90 extending inwardly from the knobs 30 and fixed in place by cross pins 92. The first or left-hand ends 24 of the valve cylinders 28 and slideways 20 are open to the interior of the cylinder 12 and are substantially spaced from the first or left-hand closure cap 34 The first removable closure cap 34 comprises a flat circular web 36 having an axially outwardly extending annular flange 40*, on its peripheral edge, which has a plug fit in the first end 14 of the cylinder 12*. At its outer end, the flange 40 has a lateral annular flange 42 which abuts the first end 14* of the cylinder and extends laterally beyond the sidewall of the cylinder and is in retaining engagement with the absorbent applicator sleeve 74 The web 36* is provided with a central opening 44*, through which the shaft 64 passes.

The second or right-hand removable closure cap 46* is similar to the first closure cap 34*, except that its web is provided with openings 54 through which the valve cylinders 28 slide. Compressible sealing Washers 94 are circumposed on the valve cylinders 28 between the second ends 26 of the slideways 20 and the web of the second closure cap 46.

The slideways 20 as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, are formed in their sidewalls, with relatively small openings 96, which are the same in size as and are registered with the openings 18 in the sidewall of the cylinder 12. The walls of the slideways 20 are also formed, in one side thereof, with longitudinally spaced openings 98, which open to the interior of the cylinder 12*, the openings 98 being spaced midway between the openings I? and 96.

The walls of the valve cylinders 28 are formed with a row of openings 100, which are preferably somewhat larger than the slideway openings 98, and are adapted to be fully registered therewith, as shown in the upper part of FIGURE 7, when the valve cylinders 28 have been rotated to their fully open positions, as indicated in the upper part of FIGURE 8, the outer ends of the knobs 30 having arrows 102 thereon, which, when diametrically disposed, indicate fully open positions of the valve cylinders 28 The walls of the valve cylinders 28* are formed with another row of spaced openings 104, disposed at 90 from the holes 100, so that, as shown in the upper part of FIGURE 7, the holes 104 register with the slideway holes 96, while the valve cylinder holes 100, are registered with the slideway holes 98, and paint present in the cylinder 12 can flow to the cylinder Wall holes 18 to the absorbent applicator sleeve 74.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the holes 18 in the wall of the cylinder 12 are relatively small and triangular, are longitudinally arranged, and extend across annular external paint distributing grooves 106 provided in the exterior of the wall of the cylinder 12 whereby controlled and even flow of paint to the applicator sleeve '74 is provided for. It is to be noted that paint present within the valve cylinders 28 which has flowed thereinto through their open ends 24 is prevented from reaching the openings of the slideways and the openings of the wall of the cylinder 12 in the closed positions of the valve cylinders 28 because of the occlusion of the related openings by the walls of the valve cylinders, as indicated in the lower right hand side of FIGURE 7.

In the interest of ready merchandising and customer convenience, the above described devices can be packaged, as indicated in FIGURE 9, in an unassembled condition, in a sealed container 110, a quantity of paint, such as a pint of the desired form and color of paint being enclosed in the cylinders of the devices. Any sealing of these cylinders, beyond that provided by the closure caps, can be readily obtained by the application of removable sealing tape around the central closure cap openings and the shaft, as well as elsewhere.

Although there have been shown and described preferred forms of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto, and that any change or changes in the structure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A fountain paint roller comprising a hollow cylinder adapted to contain paint having open ends and a sidewall, removable closure caps engaged in said ends, said caps having central openings, a roller handle having a shaft removably journaled through the cap openings, means securing the shaft in place, an absorbent applicator sleeve circumposed on the cylinder, the sidewall of the cylinder having a longitudinal row of holes therethrough, and valve means movably mounted on the inner side of the sidewall for closing and opening the holes, said valve means comprising an open slideway, and a valve element removably engaged in the slideway, said slideway comprising opposed hook flanges at opposite sides of said openings, said valve element comprising an endwise movable valve plate slidably confined between the hook fianges and bearing against the inner surface of the cylinder sidewall, said valve plate having a row of spaced openings registrable with the cylinder sidewall holes only the open position of the valve plate.

2. A fountain paint roller comprising a hollow cylinder adapted to contain paint having open ends and a sidewall, removable closure caps engaged in said ends, said caps having central openings, a roller handle having a shaft removably journaled through the cap openings, means securing the shaft in place, an absorbent applicator sleeve circumposed on the cylinder, the sidewall of the cylinder having a longitudinal row of holes therethrough, and valve means mounted on the inner side of the sidewall for closing and opening the holes, said valve means comprising a slideway, and a valve element rotatably engaged in the slideway, said slideway comprising an open-ended cylinder fixed to the inner surface of the sidewall of the cylinder, the wall of the slideway having a first row of openings registered with the cylinder sidewall openings, the wall of the slideway cylinder having a second row of holes in one side thereof, said valve element comprising a hollow open-ended cylinder rotatably engaged in the slideway cylinder, the wall of the valve cylinder having spaced rows of openings registrable with the first and second rows of slideway openings only in an open position of the valve cylinder.

3. A fountain paint roller comprising a hollow cylinder adapted to contain paint having open ends and a sidewall, removable closure caps engaged in said ends, said caps having central openings, a roller handle having a shaft removably journaled through the cap openings, means securing the shaft in place, an absorbent applicator sleeve circumposed on the cylinder, the sidewall of the cylinder having a longitudinal row of holes therethrough, and valve means mounted on the inner side of the sidewall for closing and opening the holes, said valve means comprising a slideway, and a valve element removably engaged in the slideway, said slideway comprising an open-ended cylinder fixed to the inner surface of the sidewall of the cylinder, the wall of the slideway having a first row of openings registered with the cylinder sidewall openings, the wall of the slideway cylinder having a second row of holes in one side thereof, said valve element comprising a hollow open-ended cylinder rotatably engaged in the slideway cylinder, the wall of the valve cylinder having spaced rows of openings registrable with the first and second rows of slideway openings only in an open position of the valve cylinder, a stem engaged in and closing one end of the valve cylinder, and an operating knob on said stern, having means thereon for indicating closed and open positions of the valve cylinder.

4. A fountain paint roller comprising a hollow cylinder adapted to contain paint having open ends and a sidewall, removable closure caps engaged in said ends, said caps having central openings, a roller handle having a shaft removably journaled through the cap openings, means securing the shaft .in place, an absorbent applicator sleeve circumposed on the cylinder, the sidewall of the cylinder having a longitudinal row of holes therethrough, and valve means mounted on the inner side of the sidewall for closing and opening the holes, said valve means comprising a slideway, and a valve element removably engaged in the slideway, said slideway comprising opposed hook flanges at opposite sides of said openings, said valve element comprising an endwise movable valve plate slidably confined between the hook flanges and bearing against the inner surface of the cylinder endwall, said valve plate having a row of spaced openings registrable with the cylinder sidewall holes only in the open position of the valve plate, the cylinder sidewall openings being triangular and longitudinally disposed, the openings of the valve plate being rectangular and substantially the length of the triangular openings.

5. A fountain paint roller comprising a hollow cylinder adapted to contain paint having open ends and a sidewall, removable closure caps engaged in said ends, said caps having central openings, a roller handle having a shaft removably journaled through the cap openings, means securing the shaft in place, an absorbent applicator sleeve circumposed on the cylinder, the sidewall of the cylinder having a longitudinal row of holes therethrough, and valve means mounted on the inner side of the sidewall for closing and opening the holes, said valve means comprising a slideway, and a valve element removably engaged in the slideway, said slideway comprising an open-ended cylinder fixed to the inner surface of the sidewall of the cylinder, the wall of the slideway having a first row of openings registered with the cylinder sidewall openings, the wall of the slideway cylinder having a second row of holes in one side thereof, said valve element comprising a hollow open-ended cylinder rotatably engaged in the slideway cylinder, the wall of the valve cylinder having spaced rows of openings registrable with the first and second rows of slideway openings only in an open position of the valve cylinder, the cylinder sidewall openings being triangular and longitudinally disposed, the sidewall having external annular grooves in which the triangular openings are formed.

6. A fountain paint roller comprising a hollow cylinder adapted to contain paint having open ends and a sidewall, removable closure caps engaged in said ends, said caps having central openings, a roller handle having a shaft removably journaled through the cap openings, means securing the shaft in place, an absorbent applicator sleeve circumposed on the cylinder, the sidewall of the cylinder having a longitudinal row of holes therethrough, and valve means mounted on the inner side of the sidewall for closing and opening the holes, said valve means comprising a slideway, and a valve element removably engaged in the slideway, said slideway comprising an open-ended cylinder fixed to the inner surface of the sidewall of the cylinder, the wall of the slideway having a first row of openings registered with the cylinder sidewall openings, the wall of the slideway cylinder having a second row of holes in one side thereof, said valve element comprising a hollow openended cylinder rotatably engaged in the slideway cylinder, the wall of the valve cylinder having spaced rows of openings registrable with the first and second rows of slideway openings only in an open position of the valve cylinder, the cylinder sidewall openings being triangular and longitudinally disposed, the sidewall having external annular grooves in which the triangular openings are formed, the side openings of the slideway cylinder and the corresponding openings of the wall of the valve cylinder being spaced between the openings of the cylinder sidewall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 517,036 3/1894 Dolphin 101367 1,044,426 11/1912 Smith 15-594 2,325,867 8/1943 Matsakas 15562 2,606,334 8/1952 Vaden et al. 15-562 2,916,755 12/1959 Bozzay 15---562 3,027,999 4/1962 Heroy 20647 3,029,936 4/1962 Graber 20647 3,072,053 l/l963 Becker et a1. 101367 X DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner;

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Examiner. 

1. A FOUNTAIN PAINT ROLLER COMPRISING A HOLLOW CYLINDER ADAPTED TO CONTAIN PAINT HAVING OPEN ENDS AND A SIDEWALL, REMOVABLE CLOSURE CAPS ENGAGED IN SAID ENDS, SAID CAPS HAVING CENTRAL OPENINGS, A ROLLER HANDLE HAVING A SHAFT REMOVABLY JOURNALED THROUGH THE CAP OPENINGS, MEANS SECURING THE SHAFT IN PLACE, AN ABSORBENT APPLICATOR SLEEVE CIRCUMPOSED ON THE CYLINDER, THE SIDEWALL OF THE CYLINDER HAVING A LONGITUDINAL ROW OF HOLES THERETHROUGH, AND VALVE MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE SIDEALL FOR CLOSING AND OPENING THE HOLES, SAID VALVE MEANS COMPRISING AN OPEN SLIDEWAY, AND A VALVE ELEMENT REMOVABLY ENGAGED IN THE SLIDEWAY, SAID SLIDEWAY COMPRISING OPPOSED ENGAGED IN THE SLIDEWAY, SIDE SIDES OF SAID OPENINGS, SAID VALVE ELEMENT AT OPPOING AN ENDWISE MOVABLE VALVE PLATE SLIDABLY CONFINED BETWEEN THE HOOK FLANGES AND BEARING AGAINST THE INNER SURFACE OF THE CYLINDER SIDEWALL, SAID VALVE PLATE HAVING A ROW OF SPACED OPENINGS REGISTRABLE WITH THE CYLINDER SIDEWALL HOLES ONLY THE OPEN POSITION OF THE VALVE PLATE. 